I was doing research for an essay I am supposed to be writing. But then I got sidetracked. Yes, This happens a lot. I started reading these articles about the sudden “teen” suicides going on all over the US and how it’s being contributing to “bullying”. From Phoebe Prince, to four other gay kids. And this has me asking, what are we going to do about this? So many people want to blame this on “bullying” and yet we are not once looking at the parents. I understand that these kids need to be punished, and I am a big supporter of them needing to serve jail time. But we as parents need to start looking into how we are raising our children. That’s the bigger picture.
I myself, do not agree with homosexuality. BUT, I don’t judge those living that lifestyle. I do not agree with abortion, but if you’ve gotten one it doesn’t mean that I will hate you for it. Bullying is something else I don’t agree with but I myself was a bit of a bully in Junior High. This was due to me BEING bullied in my younger years. I was a girl, and I developed a lot faster than some others. I was constantly being grabbed or having my hair pulled. Being called a “wetback”. And one day a teacher told me to “Not be afraid to fight back”. And I did. Now, I look back on it and MAYBE I should have not started so many fights, but I was sticking up for myself as well as my little brother. I feel that defending yourself is a lot different than picking on someone. I think that we as parents need to start raising our children differently!
For starters, there is so much more out there than high school. There is so much more beyond prom queens and football stars. They may be the most popular, most beautiful people in school, but they could end up working the convenience store down the road. They may one day WORK for you.
Second, our children ARE beautiful and they should focus on OTHER things besides vanity, and popularity. Look to the future. Boy/girlfriends are great, but you don’t NEED them. They do not MAKE you. You must be happy with yourself. Love YOURSELF. You must do that first before finding a boy/girlfriend or a spouse. THEY can only bring so much to the table.
Third, teach them to be strong. Have them learn how to throw a punch, learn how to stand strong in their beliefs. I know “violence is not the answer” but learning how to defend yourself might not be so bad. Teach them to not be swayed or convinced to do something they don’t want to. Peer pressure sucks, but if you start teaching them early on, they might not be so easily pressured. When someone calls them a name or is teasing them, immediately go to the other child’s parent. No matter how “embarrassing” it is for your child. So help me God, I will take whoever it is that’s teasing my baby and put them over my knee for a few good licks. Ok, maybe not that EXTREME but you better believe they will get a good talking to from me. I don’t care who they are or who their parents are. If you will not discipline your child you better believe I won’t just stand by and let that happen. I’ll instill the fear of God at least, LOL!
Four, is respect. Respect for yourself as well as respect for others. There should not be any back talking. They should not be told it’s ok if they were making fun of someone else. Discipline your children! I know that even some of us, as adults, tease or make fun of others sometimes and we really should see the example we are setting. Do you think it’s ok to have a child yell at you or cuss at you? Is it ok for them to pick on others? Our children will only grow and learn from what they are TAUGHT. What they are ALLOWED to get away with. And that’s why I think, we as parents need to do a better job.
Now, I might eat my words when Emery gets older. I might do all the right things and her still come out rebellious and easily persuaded. I might turn out to be the worst mother ever. But I will try my hardest to not be. I will try my hardest to be a good example. And I will do my damnedest to make sure that I teach her right from wrong. She will know. What she chooses to do with that knowledge, and those lessons will be left up to her. But you better believe the minute she starts calling people names, starting fights, or thinking she can run around all night she will be over my knee getting some licks. And when she’s older to where licks don’t work…well, I’ll cross that bridge when I get there!
p/s I know there’s a lot I didn't cover, but those were the basics.
Those were the main topics I wanted to cover. The ones I think should come first.
